Written By: Lloyd M’bwana
The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP)’s Members of Parliament (MPs), Jessie Kabwira, Peter Chankhwatha and shadow MP Ulemu Msungama were on Friday, March 18, their bail for alleged treason and sedition charges extended to April 29, 2016 pending police thorough investigation on the matter.
The development comes barely three weeks after the trios were released on bail for alleging to topple President Peter Mutharika through a WhatsApp conversation were discussing ways to curtail the plot.
Since then the Malawi media has be a washed with different version on the trio’s real charges as reports indicate that Attorney General (AG) Kalekeni Kaphale and Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mary Kachale didn’t not indorse the arrest of the MCP officials but rather it as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Samuel Tembenu who sanctioned the arrest the move which has cornered the police on how to proceed with the case.
After the arrest of the three, Inspector General of Police (IG) Lexen Kachama through the press conference confessed to the public that the police did not have proper charges for them saying their arrest was a mere warning to what we were discussing on WhatsApp.
Addressing journalists soon after the trio appeared at Area 30, Police Headquarters in the capital Lilongwe on Friday, morning, per bail condition, Gustav Kaliwo their lawyer who is also MCP Secretary General expressed worrisome over the police delay to charge his
clients properly arguing that the move aimed at harassing and intimating the party through false allegations.
“As you remember that their bails were extended to this day March 18, 2016, so, we came expecting that we would be told when this matter is going to be prosecuted in court. Sadly, we have been told that the bail has been extended up to April 29, 2016. So will wait the police to tell us the date when my clients will be taken to court to prove the alleged treason and sedition charges.
“Honestly, we are disappointed because you can’t expect the police just arrest someone without proper evidence against them. By now we could have already in court. Currently, we are monitoring the situation closely as the move is just there to harass and intimidate
us”, worried Kaliwo.
The Maravi Post later caught up with Kabwira, a legislator for Salima North West Constituency, who was cheered up by her constituents and party members (who carried banners disputing treason charge) soon after came out of the police, who hinted that the fight for poor people who are currently starving for food shortages rages on.
Kabwira faulted the police for being used by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leadership as a political tool to intimidate them for dissenting views on national issues saying her arrest has affected daily undertakings as a legislator and researcher.
“What came clearly today is that our bail has been extended to April and we were not locked up as the way it has been rumoured since the time I was released on bail. The good news is that I have been allowed to travel freely as an MP, Chairperson of the women Caucus in Parliament since I need to serve my people.
“However, the delay to prosecute me remains a challenge as my reputation is still under disrepute. Just image, I failed to attend the BBC Radio 4 program due to my connection to treason charges as I was asked if I haven’t been arrested of late and no other criminal record. I will still a bid by the bail condition. Therefore, am urging our men and women in uniform to conduct their duties professionally not being used as political instruments to hunt others without proper reasons”, appeals Kabwira.
There was no immediate reaction from both Attorney General (AG) Kalekeni Kaphale and Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mary Kachale as were reportedly locked up in a meeting on how they will proceed with the matter.
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